For instance, if I'm working on freelance projects, most of my abbreviations begin with "nu."(like "nu.eml" for my work email address). Others use a pair of commas because that combination of punctuation rarely appears in their writing (like ",phn" to insert your phone number).įollowing the example of developer Zach Holmquist, I use a prefix that is specific to where and when I'm using the snippet. Some people prefer to use a semicolon because it's on the home row (like " email" for inserting your email address). One common method for organizing and memorizing your snippets is to utilize what some users call a "prefix". ![]() Now it's time to start thinking about organization. Once you've been using a text expander for a little while, you may notice that you've gathered a sizable collection of snippets. Your next step should be to test your new snippet in either the preview box in your text expansion app or in a text editor like TextEdit or Notepad. Paste the expanded copy in the input/content field and set your abbreviation. Open your text expansion software and create a new snippet. Highlight and copy the text you'd like to use for the expansion snippet. The exact process varies depending on the program (and the screenshots below use TextExpander for Mac), but the basic steps are: If you notice yourself typing the same thing repeatedly, it may be time to create your first custom snippet. Most applications have a search function as well, so if know you've created a snippet but can't remember the abbreviation (the text you type to trigger the expansion), searching for it could be the next-best option. Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to remember all of the snippets right away. Something you use often (like your email address or a common greeting) is best. Take the time soon after you install the software to make these changes, and then try to pick two or three snippets to incorporate into your regular workflow. You'll likely have to replace the boilerplate text with your own information you don't want your sales inquiry emails in someone else's inbox. Most text expansion software will come with some "commonly-used snippets" pre-installed. Your customers and clients will get to know your voice as a company as opposed to a team of individuals. Utilizing common templates for email and other communications also means maintaining a consistent message. Saving yourself time means saving yourself money and mental energy. It could save you hours of time lost searching for the last email you sent or formatting the same text over and over. ![]() If you set it up the right way, text expansion can be remarkably powerful. You can use it to call up common email templates with blanks for your customer service emails, or you can insert timestamps in meeting notes so that you'll always know what happened when. Typing 6 characters instead of 20 may not sound like much in the short term, but over time those moments add up. If I type "wk.eml", that text gets replaced with my work email address. For instance, if I type "me.eml", it automatically replaces that text with my personal email address. You can use it to insert an email address, fill out common forms, and automate your email signatures. Text expansion software runs in the background on your computer and mobile phone, and it allows you to use keyboard shortcuts to type faster. We’re pleased to collaborate with Tom Lambotte to present a compilation of his best “Stupid Simple Mac Tips” for Attorney at Work readers.Text expansion is a great way to save time when you might need to type the same thing repeatedly. This month: Tips for using TextExpander to save tons of time. Over the years, I have seen many lawyers buy into the benefits of using TextExpander, the productivity app that allows you to use keyboard shortcuts for frequently used text. The problem is that many of these lawyers end up never using it. ![]() My goal is not to teach you how to configure the entire app or become an advanced superuser, but just two things: So, if you’ve considered using TextExpander, or have it but barely use it, these tips are for you. (Or, if you already use it daily, get you using it more often.) (Who wouldn’t want to automate their typing?) #Auto text expander tips how to If you could check those two boxes, it would be a worthy goal. What Is TextExpander?īasically, TextExpander uses keyboard shortcuts to automatically insert longer blocks of frequently used text, called snippets, wherever you wish: documents, emails, blog posts, other apps, forms and so on. Snippets can be short - an email address, or long: For example, your snippets could be answers to frequently asked questions or boilerplate text in letters or documents. ![]() (See “TextExpander for Fun and Profit” by attorney Matthew Yospin.) The app works on Mac, Windows, Chrome, iPhone and iPad.
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